Television timer to regulate television viewing time

ABSTRACT

A timer and electrical receptacle controlled thereby are positioned within a container having a top which can be locked in a closed position to prevent access to the interior of the container. An electrical cord extends through an opening in the container and is adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy to provide power to the electrical receptacle as controlled by the timer, and a notch formed in one of the walls of the container is adapted for receipt of the power cord from an electrical appliance for connection in the electrical receptacle, the notch and the movable top of the container cooperating to prevent removal of the power cord.

United States Patent [1 1 Leone I 'I'EIlEVISION TIMER 'IO REGULA'IE TELEVISION VIEWING TIME [76] Inventor: Louis A. Leone, 12809'Chippewa Rd., Brecksville, Ohio 4414.1

[22] Filed: May 18, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 361,450

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 904,898 11/1908 Russell 339/44 R 2,085,624 6/1937 Allen 200/38 FB 3,131,985 5/1964 Blonder 339/37 3,293,588 12/1966 Blonder 174/67 X Noiles 307/141 X Sept. 3, 1974 6/1971 Halicho 200/38 FB 3,584,166 3,586,799 6/1971 Murphy, Jr. 200/56 R 3,711,664 l/l973 Benoit et a1 200/52 RX [5 7] ABSTRACT A timer and electrical receptacle controlled thereby are positioned within a container having a top which can be locked in a closed position to prevent access to the interior of the container. An electrical cord extends through an opening in the container and is adapted forconnection to a source of electrical energy to provide power to the electrical receptacle as controlled by the timer, and a notch formed in one of the walls of the container is adapted for receipt of the power cord from an electrical appliance for connection in the electrical receptacle, the notch and the movable top of the container cooperating to prevent removal of the power cord.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure TELEVISION TIMER TO REGULATE TELEVISION VIEWING TIME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for effectively controlling operational time of an electrical appliance.

Electrical appliances, such as, for example, televisions, radios, and the like, while often providing a source of entertainment and educational information, tend to become addictive, especially to children. Thus, a television viewer may spend inordinate amounts of time gazing at the television to the detriment of other more important chores. Moreover, the television and radio have become a source of many arguments between parents and children, the children desiring to extend their viewing or listening time while the parents would prefer that the time be spent in more constructive fashion, such as, for example, doing homework, completing chores, or sleeping.

Applicant has provided in the instant invention an apparatus for absolute control of operational time of an electrcal appliance, such asa television, radio or the like, whereby the power cord of the appliance is connected to an electrical receptacle located in a container. An electrical cord leading from the container is connected to a conventional electrical outlet, and a lustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The sole FIGURE is an isometric view partially broken away of a timer, electrical receptacle and container therefor in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specifically to the drawing, a timer apparatus for absolute regulation of operating time of an electrical appliance is shown generally at l. The apparatus includes a container 2 formed of metal, wood, plastic, or the like having bottom, sideand top walls 3 through 8 with the bottom and sidewalls being integrally connected and the top wall being connected by hinges 9 for closing the top opening 10 of the container. If desired, the top wall 8 may be completely removable from the rest of the container, and the container may be colored or painted to blend readily into the surrounding environment. An opening ll'formed in timer within the container is adjusted to control the du-I ration for which the electrical receptacle is energized from the electrical cord. The power cord of the electrical appliance fits in a notch formed in one of the walls of the container, and the top wall thereof may be locked closed to prevent access to the interior of the container while securing the power cord in the notch to prevent removal thereof from the container. Thus, once the power cord is plugged into the electrical receptacle and the timer is set to provide power to the television for the duration of a particular television show, then the top may be locked closed and the key removed and retained, for-example, by the parent. At the expirationof the time set on the timer, the television will be de-energized and cannot again be operated until the container is opened and the timer re-set or the power cord plug is removed and connected to a conventional electrical outlet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 A further object of the invention is to control absolutely the operational time of an electrical appliance by controlling the power supplied thereto.

' Still another object of the invention is to control operational time of an electrical appliance while preventing the adjustment of such time duration.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become. more apparentas the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail a certain ilthe container sidewall 5 has an electrical cord 12 extending therethrough from the interior of the container to the exterior thereof, and a conventional electrical plug 13 is connected to the end of the electrical cord for connection to a conventional electrical outlet for receipt of electric energy, for example, from the power company. The opening 1 l is preferably of cross-section or size suitable for passage of the electrical cord 12 therethrough while denying entry otherwise to the interior of the container.

A timer 14 having a time setting mechanism 15 and a dial 16 is positioned within the container 1. The timer 14 is connected by electrical leads 17 to a conventional electrical receptacle 18 also located within the container 1, and the timer is operative to provide an electrical connection between the electrical cord 12 and the electrical lead 17 to provide electricity to the electrical receptacle 18. The timer 14 is a conventional device, such as, for example, a mechanical timer or an electrically operated timer, and in the latter case the timer may receive input power from the electrical cord 12. If desired, plural timers may be positioned within the container 2 to provide a set and re-set operation for energization of the electrical receptacle 18, whereby the, first timer would provide electrical power to the electrical receptacle beginning at the time set thereon and the second timer would turn off the power.

The top wall 8 of the container 2 is preferably transparent to permit viewing the interior of the container when in the closed position and includes a conventional lock 20 secured therein by a flange 21 and lock nut 22 arrangement. The lock 20 includesa latch member 23 curing the top of the container in closed position, and

the invention is not limited to the particular mechanism shown and described above. For example, the lock may be a combination type lock, or instead of .the latching bar 25, a groove may be formed in one of the sidewalls of the container 2 for cooperating with the latch member 23 to secure the top wall 8 in closed position. Alternatively, the top wall may be removable and the locking mechanism would provide for rigidly fastening the top wall to the container. Moreover, the locking mechanism may be located within one of the side or bottom walls of the container and have a latch member adapted for coupling a latching bar or the like associated with the top wall.

A notch 26 is cut into the top of the side wall 5 and has an open end extending in the direction toward the top wall 8 of the container 2. The notch is preferably of a suitable diameter or cross-section for receiving a power cord 27, shown in phantom, from an electrical appliance, such as, for example, a television, radio or the like, which terminates in a conventional electrical plug 28 adapted for connection to the electrical recep tacle 18. The top wall 8 of the container 2 cooperates with the notch 26 to prevent removal of the power cord 27 and electrical plug 28 from the container when the former is in closed position since the cross-section of the electrical plug is greater than that of the notch; In an alternative embodiment, the top wall of the container may be defined partly by a fixed wall portion and partly by a movable wall portion coupled thereto to permit access to the interior of the container. In such case, the notch would be cut in any wall that permits the notch to have an open end which may be closed by closure of the movable portion of the container wall.

The apparatus 1 is intended for absolute control of potentialenergization and operation time of an electrical appliance, such apparatus effectively cooperating with the on-off switch or similar device normally used in controlling operation of the electrical appliance. In operation of the apparatus 1, the electrical plug 13 is connected in a conventional electrical outlet to provide energy to the timer 14, if needed, as well as to the electrical receptacle 18 as controlled by the timer. The lock 20 is unlatched and the top wall 8 of the container 2 is opened to permit insertion of the electrical plug 28 into the electrical receptacle 18. The power cord 27 of the electrical apparatus is then located in the notch 26, and the time setting mechanism 15 of the timer 14 is adjusted to provide electrical energization of the electrical receptacle l8 and the electrical apparatus by the power cord connection as indicated on the dial 16. The top wall 8 of the container is then closed and locked, and the key 24 is removed, whereby the absolute control of potential operational time of the electrical appliance is determined by the duration for which the timer 14 provides a connection from the input electrical cord 12 to-the electrical receptacle l8.

Sincethe electrical plug 28 connected to the power cord 27 of the electrical appliance is secured within the container 2 by virtue of its being too large for removalthrough the notch 26 when the top wall 8 of the container. is closed, the electrical appliance cannot be reenergized for operation after the timer 14 has expired without unlocking and opening the container 2 to reset the timer or to remove the power cord 27 and electrical plug 28.therefrom.,0f course, in the event that plural timers are positioned within the cotainer 2 for selectively energizing and de-energizing the electrical receptacle 18 for controlling operation of an electrical appliance, once the timers are set and the container locked, the electricalappliance is absolutely under the control of the'timers for potential energization.

1. Apparatus for absolute control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle, comprising a container defined by top, bottom and side walls, one of said walls'having at least a movable portion adapted for opening to provide access to the interior of said container, hinge means for movably securing said movable portion to said container, the other of said walls being integrally connected, a notch formed in an edge of a wall adjacent said movable portion, said notch having an open end located with respect to said movable portion to be closed thereby when the latter is in a closed position, means for locking said movable portion of said one of said walls in such closed position to prevent access to the interior of said container, an electrical receptacle positioned in the interior of said container, an electrical cord extending from the interior of said container to the exterior thereof, said electrical cord being adapted for. connection-to a source of electric energy, timer means located in said container'for providing an electrical connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle, the length and time of the duration of said electrical connection being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means, whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific length to occur at a specific time, the electrical cord from the container is coupled to a source of electric energy and the power cord of the electrical ap-' pliance is connected to said electrical receptacle in'said container and prevented from removal by closure of the open end of said notch by said movable portion and operation of said means for locking, the electrical appliance then is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer provides a connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle.

2. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said notch has a cross-section smaller than that of said electrical plug so as to prevent extraction thereof from said container when said removable portion is in closed position. v 1

3. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set'forth in claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in one of said walls of said container, and said electricalcord extending through said openingfrom the interior of s'aid'container to the exteriorthereof. v

4. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle asset forth in claim 1, further comprising plural timer means located insaid container and connected for initiating a connection between said electrical receptacle and said power cord and for terminating said connection.

wherein said timer means comprises electrical timer means.

6. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said timer means comprises mechanical timer means.

7. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said movable portion comprises said top wall of said container.

8. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for locking comprises a keyoperated lock having a latch member, said keyoperated lock being located in said top wall and said latch member being positioned to cooperate with a latching means in said container for locking said top wall in closed position.

9. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said top wall comprises a transparent material to permit viewing the interior of said container when said top wall is in closed position.

10. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said movable portion is removable from said container to provide access'to the interior thereof. 

1. Apparatus for absolute control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle, comprising a container defined by top, bottom and side walls, one of said walls having at least a movable portion adapted for openIng to provide access to the interior of said container, hinge means for movably securing said movable portion to said container, the other of said walls being integrally connected, a notch formed in an edge of a wall adjacent said movable portion, said notch having an open end located with respect to said movable portion to be closed thereby when the latter is in a closed position, means for locking said movable portion of said one of said walls in such closed position to prevent access to the interior of said container, an electrical receptacle positioned in the interior of said container, an electrical cord extending from the interior of said container to the exterior thereof, said electrical cord being adapted for connection to a source of electric energy, timer means located in said container for providing an electrical connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle, the length and time of the duration of said electrical connection being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means, whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific length to occur at a specific time, the electrical cord from the container is coupled to a source of electric energy and the power cord of the electrical appliance is connected to said electrical receptacle in said container and prevented from removal by closure of the open end of said notch by said movable portion and operation of said means for locking, the electrical appliance then is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer provides a connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle.
 2. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said notch has a cross-section smaller than that of said electrical plug so as to prevent extraction thereof from said container when said removable portion is in closed position.
 3. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an opening formed in one of said walls of said container, and said electrical cord extending through said opening from the interior of said container to the exterior thereof.
 4. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising plural timer means located in said container and connected for initiating a connection between said electrical receptacle and said power cord and for terminating said connection.
 5. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said timer means comprises electrical timer means.
 6. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said timer means comprises mechanical timer means.
 7. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said movable portion comprises said top wall of said container.
 8. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for locking comprises a key-operated lock having a latch member, said key-operaTed lock being located in said top wall and said latch member being positioned to cooperate with a latching means in said container for locking said top wall in closed position.
 9. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said top wall comprises a transparent material to permit viewing the interior of said container when said top wall is in closed position.
 10. Apparatus for control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said movable portion is removable from said container to provide access to the interior thereof. 